Electrical outlet box

ABSTRACT

An electrical outlet box includes channels in a female member for receiving in spaced apart relationship three conductors of an uncut electrical cable. One or more sets of three receivers mounted in a male member for electrically engaging each conductor interconnects the conductors of the cable and defines an electrical socket of a socket assembly of the electrical outlet box. A cover is attachable to the male member for covering the space between the socket assembly and the surrounding wall board aperture. Fittings are included and formed as part of the electrical outlet box to permit back to back attachment of a pair of electrical outlet boxes and for side by side mounting in a ganged manner of two or more electrical boxes. Routing of the cable in slots in the studs of a wall is described along with a retainer for retaining the cable in the slots.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is a continuation application of andclaims priority to non-provisional application entitled “ElectricalOutlet Box” filed Jun. 26, 2000, having assigned Ser. No. 09/602,884,wherein non-provisional application 09/602,884 claims priority to aprovisional application entitled “Electrical Outlet Box”, filed Jun. 28,1999 and assigned Ser. No. 60/141,500, and to a provisional applicationentitled “Electrical Receptacle With Straight-Through Wiring”, filed May19, 2000 and assigned Ser. No. 60/205,708, which applications areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to electrical outlets and, moreparticularly, to an electrical outlet box for receiving and electricallyengaging an uncut three conductor electrical cable for providingelectrical power to sockets selectively engageable by conventionalelectrical plugs.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Conventional wall mounted electrical outlets include a box,whether of metal or plastic, for receiving three conductor electricalcables. The terminal end of each conductor is mechanically fastened tocorresponding electrical contacts of a conventional socket assembly. Oneor more apertures in the box are present to permit ingress of a cableand egress of another cable. In the event of the latter, the ends ofeach conductor of such cable must be attached to the correspondingelectrical connections of the outlet socket assembly. Alternatively,corresponding conductors of each cable must be electrically andmechanically secured to one another with a device known as a wire nut. Apig-tail conductor is secured by each wire nut to each conductor toprovide electrical power to the corresponding electrical contact of thesocket assembly. When two sockets of each socket assembly are present,as is conventional, further pig-tails must be used to connect thesockets in parallel.

[0006] The amount of time and effort to cut and then insert the end ofeach cable into the electrical box is time consuming. Additional timeand numerous separate operations must be carried out to effect theappropriate electrical connections.

[0007] Each cable must be routed through the studs of a wall from onelocation of an electrical box to another. This requires drilling holesin each intervening stud and threading the cable therethrough. Such workis time consuming and laborious.

[0008] Conventional electrical outlet boxes are secured to a wall studby nails or the like. A cutout is provided in the wall board of the wallthrough which the electrical outlet box extends to position the socketassembly essentially flush with the exterior surface of the wall board.An apertured cover plate, penetrably receiving the terminal end of eachsocket of the socket assembly, is affixed to the electrical outlet boxby screws. Often, due to sloppy workmanship or inattention, theelectrical outlet box is not in proper alignment with the wall board.This results in a skewed attachment of the cover plate since noprovision for aligning the cover plate with the wall board is provided.The result is aesthetically displeasing.

[0009] Generally, the major expense attendant wiring a house, or anybuilding, is the cost of the labor involved as the parts, including thecables, are inexpensive relative to the total cost. By reducing thelabor costs of skilled electricians through a reduction in time spent,significant savings may be effected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The female member of an electrical outlet box includes anapertured flange for attachment by nails or screws to a stud. Afterattachment, an uncut conductor cable is laid through the electricaloutlet box after the insulating sheath surrounding the three conductorshas been cut and removed to expose the three insulated conductors. Eachconductor is placed within a corresponding channel to physically spreadthe conductors apart from one another. A male member of the electricaloutlet box is inserted into the female member, which insertion causesreceivers to penetrate the insulation of each respective conductor andmade an electrical contact therewith. Each receiver corresponds with aprong of a conventional grounded three prong plug to electricallyconnect the plug with the corresponding electrical conductors uponinsertion of the plug into a socket. Thereby, all of the conventionalsteps of cutting and attaching the electrical conductors extending intoan electrical outlet box are eliminated.

[0011] Each receiver may include one or more spring loaded tangs forreceiving and electrically connecting a further conductor of a furthercable. A positional cover plate is placed flush with the surface of thewall board surrounding the electrical outlet box and accommodates forany misalignment of the electrical outlet box relative to the surface ofthe wall board. Male and female attachments are provided in eachelectrical outlet box to permit side by side and/or back to backmounting of a plurality of electrical outlet boxes. Moreover, a singleuncut cable is serially routed through each electrical outlet box. Toenhance routing of cables through a wall, a slot may be cut in each studto receive the cable and eliminate threading of the cable through ahole. A retainer engages the stud to maintain the cable in the slot.

[0012] It is therefore a primary object of the present invention toprovide an electrical outlet box which provides electrical power to aconventional outlet without requiring cutting of any conductors of anelectrical cable supplying electrical power to the electrical outletbox.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide an easy toinstall and electrically connect electrical outlet box.

[0014] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a twopart plastic electrical outlet box which upon assembly automaticallyprovides electrical connection between a socket and an uncut electricalcable laid therein.

[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide anelectrical outlet box of nonelectrically conductive material except forreceivers electrically connecting conductors of an uncut electricalcable passing therethrough to provide electrical power to a plug pluggedinto a socket.

[0016] A further object of the present invention is to provide aninexpensive electrical outlet box installable by an electrician withminimal instruction.

[0017] A yet further object of the present invention is to reduce thecosts of electrically wiring a wall of a building or other facility.

[0018] A still further object of the present invention is to provide amethod for inexpensively wiring a building or other facility.

[0019] These and other objects of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art as the description thereofproceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present invention will be described with greater specificityand clarity with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0021]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the top and two sides of anelectrical outlet box;

[0022]FIG. 2 is a partial cut-out side view of the electrical outlet boxshowing certain components;

[0023]FIG. 3 illustrates the electrical outlet box attached to a stud ofa conventional wall with a plurality of conductors extending to and fromthe electrical box;

[0024]FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the bottom and two sides of thefemale member of the electrical outlet box;

[0025]FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the interior and two sides of thefemale member of the electrical outlet box;

[0026]FIG. 6 illustrates a cable laid within the female member of theelectrical outlet box;

[0027]FIG. 7 illustrates an isolated compartment within the femalemember of the electrical outlet box for electrically connecting two ormore conductors;

[0028]FIG. 8 illustrates a cover for closing the compartment illustratedin FIG. 7 to shield any electrical connection made therein;

[0029]FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the interior of the male member;

[0030]FIG. 10 is a view of the cavities disposed in the male member forsupporting the receivers;

[0031]FIG. 11 illustrates cover plates attached to the male member forretaining the receivers within their respective cavities;

[0032]FIG. 12 illustrates a cover for attachment to the male member ofthe electrical outlet box;

[0033]FIG. 13 illustrates the bottom of the cover;

[0034]FIG. 14 is a side view of the cover;

[0035]FIG. 15 is an isometric view of two sides of a receiver;

[0036]FIG. 16 is an isometric of two other sides of a receiver;

[0037]FIG. 17 is a representative view of a conventional groundedelectrical plug engaging a set of three receivers mounted within themale member of the electrical outlet box, and illustrates an electricalconductor electrically attached to and extending from each receiver;

[0038]FIG. 18 is a side view of the relationship of three receiversmounted within a male member of the electrical outlet box;

[0039]FIG. 19 illustrates a plurality of ganged electrical outlet boxesand a common uncut electrical cable extending serially through each;

[0040]FIG. 20 illustrates a plurality of ganged electrical outlet boxeshaving further electrical outlet boxes connected thereto back to backand a n uncut electrical cable extending serially through each;

[0041]FIG. 21 illustrates a pair of electrical outlet boxesinterconnected back to back and an uncut electrical cable extendingserially therethrough;

[0042]FIG. 22 representatively illustrates a plurality of electricaloutlet boxes mounted to studs of a wall and interconnected through acommon uncut cable;

[0043]FIG. 23 illustrates an electrical outlet box attached to a stud ofa wall and a cable extending therefrom nested within and secured toslots formed in each stud;

[0044]FIG. 24 illustrates a slot in a stud for retaining a cable and aretainer attached thereto to secure the cable in place;

[0045]FIG. 25 illustrates a retainer of the type shown in FIG. 23; and

[0046]FIG. 26 illustrates a variant retainer for use to retain a cablewithin a slot.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0047] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an electrical outlet box 10for providing electrical power to each of sockets 12, 14 disposed insocket assembly 16. The electrical outlet box includes a female member20 into which a male member 22 (see FIG. 2) is attached and a cover 24having an aperture 26 through which socket assembly 16 protrudes. Aflange 28 extends laterally from female member 20 and includes apertures29 for penetrably receiving nails, screws, or the like to attachelectrical outlet box 10 adjacent a wall stud of a wall and serves inthe manner of a mounting for the electrical outlet box.

[0048] An overview of electrical outlet box 10 is provided in FIG. 2. Anelectrical cable 30 enters the electrical outlet box intermediate thejunction between female member 20 and male member 22 through an aperturedefined by ledges 32, 34. Similarly, the cable exits from the electricaloutlet box intermediate the male and female members through an aperturedefined by ledges 36, 38. Ledges 32, 36 are a part of female member 20and ledges 34, 38 are a part of male member 22. The portion of cable 30interior of the electrical box has been stripped of its external sheathto expose the conventional three insulated conductors, of which oneconductor is ground. These three insulated conductors are collectivelyidentified by reference numeral 40. Each of three channels are formed infemale member 20 to receive in spaced apart relationship one ofconductors 40. Socket 12, formed in male member 22, includes threereceivers 42 of identical configuration and located by male member 22 insuch way that each receiver corresponds with one of conductors 40.Receivers 42 of socket 14 are similarly located. On joining the malemember with the female member, each of receivers 42 penetrates theinsulation about the respective conductor to make electrical contacttherewith. Thereby, each of sockets 12 and 14 are in electrical contactwith the three conductors of cable 30 and will provide electrical powerto a conventional grounded three prong plug plugged into either ofsockets 12, 14. After male member 22 has been inserted into femalemember 20, it is retained in place by a plurality of screws or bolts 44.From this description, it will be apparent that cable 30 is not cut toprovide electrical power to either of sockets 12 or 14 and the cable iscontinuous through the electrical outlet box.

[0049]FIG. 3 illustrates a typical mounting of electrical outlet box 10.Female member 20 is placed adjacent a stud 50 found in a typical wallconstruction to locate flange 28 adjacent a surface of the stud. Thefemale member is secured to the stud by bolts or screws penetratingapertures 29 into threaded engagement with the stud. Alternatively,nails or tacks may be used for this purpose or other fastening devicesmay be used. After the female member has been mounted on the stud, cable30 is laid therein. Upon insertion of male member 22, sockets 12 and 14will be in electrical contact with the corresponding conductors withinthe cable. Screws or bolts 44 (see FIG. 2) are inserted throughapertures 46 and into the threaded engagement with the female member toretain the male member in place. As will be discussed in further detailbelow, the conductors within additional cables 52, 54 may be attached tocorresponding receivers 42 of either of sockets 12, or 14 to provideelectrical power to other locations.

[0050]FIG. 4 illustrates a view of the bottom of female member 20. Thebottom is divided into essentially four sections. Section 60 includestwo sets of four tubes 62 and 64. Section 66 includes a single tube 68having a diameter essentially corresponding with a circle inscribed bythe tubes of each set of tubes 62 and 64. Section 70 also includes atube 72 of a diameter equivalent to a circle inscribed by either of setof tubes 62, 64. Upon placement of two electrical boxes back to back,tubes 68, 72 of one female member will nest within set of tubes 64, 62,respectively, of the other female member. By having the fit between therespective tubes a tight fit, the two electrical outlet boxes will besecured to or interlocked with one another. Thus, these tubes and setsof tubes form a mounting means or interlocking means for securing twofemale members (electrical outlet boxes) back to back.

[0051] Section 74 is essentially a closed compartment that may becovered by a cover shown in FIG. 8. A pair of knockouts 76, 78 aredisposed in wall 80. By removing the knockouts, conductors (as shown inFIG. 7) are insertable through the resulting apertures and may beelectrically joined to one another within section 74. Thus, section 74provides a mechanically closed compartment to shield any conductorselectrically jointed therein and precludes the possibility of anelectrical hazard as a result of any exposed conductors.

[0052] Slots 82, 84 along with indentations 86, 88 are formed in sidewall 90. These slots and indentations correspond with snap studs 92, 94(see also FIG. 5) to mechanically lock (interlock) adjacent femalemembers to one another to create a side by side gang of electricaloutlet boxes mechanically interconnected with one another. That is, lip96 of snap stud 92 of one female member is placed adjacent the innersurface of wall 90 of another female member. Lip 98 of snap stud 94 issimilarly placed adjacent the rear surface of wall 90 of the otherfemale member. Upon such joining, base 100 of snap stud 92 and base 102of snap stud 94 will rest within indentations 88, 86, respectively. Aprotrusion 104 at the extremity of lip 96 and a protrusion 106 at theextremity of lip 98 will become lodged in slots 82 and 84, respectivelyto lock the interconnection therebetween. To accommodate such side byside mounting of a pair of female members, an indentation in the wall108 (which is opposed to wall 90), includes an indentation 110 toaccommodate and receive flange 28. Thereby, wall 90 of one female memberwill be flush or adjacent wall 108 of a joined female member. Thus,these elements form a mounting means or interlock means for receivingtwo female members (electrical outlet boxes) side to side.

[0053] Apertures 112, 114 are formed in indentations 116, 118 of wall90. Corresponding apertures 120, 122 are disposed in indentations 124,126 in wall 108 of the female member (see FIG. 5). These apertures areintended to permit insertion of bolts to mechanically secure two or morefemale members adjacent one another in ganged fashion. Each of apertures112, 114, 120 and 122 may include a spider shaped head which wouldflatten out in the event of over tightening of a penetrating bolt andthereby prevent cracking or damage to the wall of the correspondingindentation.

[0054] The interior of female 20 is illustrated in FIG. 5. A pair ofledges 36, 32 extend from opposed ends of the female member to providesupport for a cable extending through the female member. To lock thecable in place on their respective ledges, each of the ledges mayinclude one or more laterally oriented ridges 130. Furthermore, ledge 32includes side walls 132, 134 and ledge 36 includes side walls 136, 138to prevent lateral movement of a cable. A central segmented channel 140is disposed intermediate ledges 32, 28 for receiving the insulatedground conductor of a cable. Further segmented channels 142, 144 aredisposed on opposed sides of channel 140 for receiving the remaining twoinsulated conductors of the cable. Necessarily, the sheath of the cablesurrounding the three conductors must be removed along the segment ofthe cable generally corresponding to the interior length of femalemember 20.

[0055] Four posts 146, 148, 150 and 152 extend upwardly from bottom 154of the female member. Upon placement of the flange 28 from an adjacentfemale member within indentation 110, apertures 29 of such flangepenetrably engage posts 150, 152 to lock the flange within the femalemember and provide a robust attachment between the two adjacent femalemembers. FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 except that cable 30 has beeninserted therein and electrical conductors 160, 162 and 164 have beenlodged within segmented channels 140, 142 and 144, respectively.Similarly, the cable has been placed upon ledges 32, 36 within theirrespective side walls 132, 134 and 136, 138.

[0056]FIG. 7 specifically illustrates section 70 (see FIG. 4) availablefor containing an electrical connection between conductors 160, 162inserted through knockouts 76, 78, respectively. The ends of theconductors may be electrically interconnected by use of wing nuts 164 orthe like. To eliminate an electrical hazard as a result of an exposeduninsulated conductor within section 74, a cover 166, as shown in FIG.8, may be used to close section 74. The cover may include a dependingskirt 168 for insertion adjacent the interior upper edge of section 74.Top 170 of the cover may be flush with the top of the walls definingsection 74. Preferably, cover 166 is secured in place by a snap fit,well known to those skilled in the art of making covers.

[0057] Male member 22 will be described with joint reference to FIGS. 9,10 and 11. Internal central section 180 defining two sets of threecavities each is particularly shown in FIG. 10. These sets of cavitiesare bounded by side walls 182, 184, 186 and 188. Cavities 190, 192 and194 correspond with socket 12 and cavities 196, 198 and 200 correspondwith socket 14 (see FIG. 1). A flexibly resilient receiver is lodgedwithin each of cavities 190, 192, 194, 196, 198 and 200. Each of thecavities includes a pair of slots 204, 206 for receiving correspondingkeys of a receiver. Each receiver includes a slotted pair of tabs 208,210 defining slots 212, 214, respectively. The edges of these tabs,including the edges of slots 212, 214 may be tapered or beveled toprovide a cutting function for penetrating the insulation surrounding aconductor engaged by the slots. As discussed above with respect to FIGS.5 and 6, the spaces of segmented channels 140, 142, 144 relate to slots204, 206 of tabs 208, 210 of the corresponding receiver to permittranslation of each pair of receiver tabs relative to a conductor to begripped to permit engagement of the slots of each receiver with therespective conductor. That is, upon attachment of the male member to thefemale member, the receivers will come into engagement with acorresponding one of the conductors to create an electrical connectionbetween each receiver and its corresponding conductor whereby power isapplied to each of sockets 12 and 14. The tabs of the receivers extendinto the discontinuities of the respective ridges defining the channels(as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0058] Male member 22 includes a cover element 220 essentiallyconforming with the walls of female member 20. Each of male studs 222,224, 226 and 228 depends from the edge of cover element 220 and includesa base section 230. A lip 232, including a protrusion extendingtherefrom, terminates each male stud. Referring to FIG. 6, there areillustrated four slots 240, 242, 244 and 246 disposed in the edges ofopposed wall sections of the female member. These slots are sized toreceive base 230 of corresponding male studs 222, 224, 226 and 228.Apertures 250, 252, 254 and 256 are disposed adjacent slots 240, 232,244 and 246, respectively, for engagement by in a snap fit configurationthe corresponding with lip 232 of each male stud. Thereby, male member22 is initially attached to female member 220 with a snap fit. Thedistance between pair of slots 240, 242 is a first distance and thedistance between pair of slots 244, 246 is a second distance. To insurecorrect orientations of the male member with the female member pair ofmale studs 222, 224 are the first distance apart and pair of male studs226, 228 are the second distance apart. As mating of the male memberwith the female member can only come about if the male studs arecoincident with the slots, the male member can be attached only one waywith the female member.

[0059] Apertures 260, 262, 264 and 266 in female member 22 correspondwith posts 146, 148, 150 and 152, respectively, of male member 20. Afterthe initial snap fit attachment of the male member with the femalemember, bolts or screws 44 (see FIG. 2) are inserted through theseapertures into threaded engagement with the corresponding posts toprevent any inadvertent disengagement between the male and femalemembers.

[0060] Ledges 34, 38 of male member 22 are similar to ledges 32, 36 offemale member 20 and serve essentially the same function. That is, eachof ledges 34, 38 includes one or more lateral ridges 130 forcompressively engaging a part of the cable partially incased betweenside walls 270, 272 of ledge 34 and side walls 274, 276 of ledge 38. Theside walls of ledges 34, 38 come into engagement with the correspondingside walls of ledges 32, 36 to incase the cable between correspondingpairs of ledges. Thereby, movement of the cable into and out of orlateral of electrical outlet box 10 is essentially precluded.

[0061] Referring specifically to FIG. 11, there is shown an aperturedplate 280 for penetrable engagement by the pairs of tabs 208, 210 ofeach of receivers 202 forming a part of socket 12. A similar plate 282provides penetrable engagement through slots for each of tabs 208, 210of receivers 202 forming a part of socket 14. Each of plates 282, 283 isretained in place by means such as a screw 284 in threaded engagementwith corresponding apertures 286 of central section 180 (see FIG. 10).The purpose and function of plates 280, 282 is to provide rigidity tothe tabs of the respective receivers to insure penetration of theinsulation about the respective conductor to be electrically engaged.That is, these plates serve as retention means to preclude the tabs frombending or becoming skewed during engagement of male member 22 withfemale member 20 and preclude disengagement of the receivers from theirrespective cavities.

[0062]FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate cover 24 (see FIG. 1). The coverincludes a central aperture 290 for penetrably receiving socket assembly16 of male member 22. During attachment of the electrical outlet box toa wall stud (see FIG. 3), the wall stud may be twisted or warped topreclude the exterior planar surface of the socket assembly from beingparallel with the surface of the wall board to be attached to the stud.To accommodate such skewed positioning of electrical outlet box 10 andto provide an aesthetically and visually pleasing presentation, cover 24can be affixed or attached to the male member in a skewed relationshiptherewith that conforms with the planar surface of the wall board. Studs292 extend from the undersurface of the cover and include a plurality ofdeformable bells 294. Upon attachment of cover 290 to male member 22,studs 292 are forced into corresponding ones of apertures 296 formed incover element 220 of male member 22 (see FIGS. 3 and 9). Apertures 290may have a spider shaped head or other configuration of ridged orflexible flanges cooperating with bells 294 to insure engagement andpositionable rigidity irrespective of the depth to which studs 292 areforced into the apertures. Thereby, the cover may be skewed relative tothe major plane defined by the male member and yet the cover will beflush with the surface of the wall board. By including one or morebevels 298 adjacent aperture 290, any planar alignment with socketassembly 16 will not be readily visually perceivable. The perimeter ofthe cover may be beveled, as indicated or of other configurationdictated primarily by aesthetic considerations.

[0063] Referring directly to FIGS. 15, 16, 17 and 18, each receiver 202(see FIG. 9) will be described in further detail. Each receiver 202includes a pair of resilient arms 300, 302 in facing relationship togrip one of blade prongs 304 or cylindrical prong 306 (ground) ofconventional electrical plug 308. A further resilient arm 310,orthogonally related to arms 300, 302, includes a pair of opposed keys312, 314. These keys slide into slots 204, 206 of the corresponding oneof cavities 190, 192, 194 196, 198 and 200 (see FIG. 10). As discussedabove, a pair of tabs 208, 210 include slots 212, 214. The depth of theslots must be sufficient to engage a corresponding insulated conductor(see FIG. 6) and of appropriate width to penetrate the insulation of theconductor and make electrical contact with the conductor. To enhancesuch penetration of the insulation and electrical engagement, the edgesof the slots may be beveled to a more or less sharp edge (see FIG. 18).Alternatively, if the material of tabs 208, 210 is sufficiently thin abeveled or sharpened edge may not be necessary.

[0064] To provide an electric power take off from within electricaloutlet box 10 without cutting or severing any conductor of cable 30, aresilient clamp 320 may be formed on one or both sides of receiver 202.This clamp includes an arm 322. A channel or depression 324 is disposedbeneath the arm and in general alignment therewith. To make anelectrical connection, the uninsulated end of an electrical conductor isplaced within depression 324 under arm 322. As the arm is downwardlybiased and resilient, it will tend to grip the conductor and retain itin place. To enhance retention of the conductor, end 326 of the arm maybe bent downwardly, as shown. A further clamp 328 may be disposed on theother side of receiver 202 to permit attachment of two independentconductors to each receiver. As particularly shown in FIG. 17, each ofreceivers 202 includes a clamp 328 for engaging the terminal ends ofrespective ones of conductors 340, 342 and 344.

[0065]FIG. 18 is primarily an illustration of the relative positions ofthree receivers 202 forming the electrical interconnections between thethree conductors of a cable and a plug 308 to be plugged into one ofsockets 12, 14. A beveled edge 350 may be formed in each of slots 212.As shown, such beveled edge may extend further along the edge of thecorresponding tab.

[0066]FIG. 19 illustrates an electrical outlet box 10 attached to a stud50 via flange 28. Such attachment may be by screws, nails, or the likepenetrating apertures 29 and into engagement with the stud. Severaladditional electrical outlet boxes 10 are serially ganged to the studsupported electrical outlet box through engagement of snap studs 94 ofone electrical outlet box engaging slots 82 of the adjacent electricaloutlet box and by flange 28 of one box being inserted into an adjacentelectrical outlet box and retained in place by bolts or screws extendingthrough apertures 46 and apertures 29 of the inserted flange and intothreaded engagement with the underlying posts. Additionally, bolts mayextend through two or more of the electrical outlet boxes by penetrableengagement with respective ones of apertures 112, 114.

[0067] A single uncut length of cable 30 is serially located in each ofthe electrical outlet boxes to define the serpentine path illustrated.Where two or more socket assemblies are intended to protrude at opposedsides of a wall, two sets of gang electrical outlet boxes may be securedback to back as illustrated in FIG. 20. Further details attended suchback to back connection are discussed with respective FIG. 4. Herein, asingle uncut cable 30 extends serially through each of the electricaloutlet boxes.

[0068] At a location wherein an electrical outlet is desired on opposedsides of a wall, the configuration illustrated in FIG. 21 may beemployed. One of electrical outlet boxes 10 is secured to stud 50 viaflange 28, as described above. The other electrical outlet box isattached to the anchored electrical outlet box by engagement of tubes68, 70 of one female member with sets of tubes 64, 62 of the otherfemale member. Herein, a wall board 360 on one side of stud 50 and thewall board 362 on the other side of the stud are illustrated. It may benoted that the thickness of male member 22 extending from respectivefemale member 20 is essentially equivalent to the thickness of the wallboard. Socket assembly 16 extending from each male member extends beyondthe plane of the outer surface of the corresponding wall board. Cover 24(not shown herein) extends beyond the perimeter of male member 22 andhides from view the junction between the male member and the side wallof the aperture formed in the wall board. Cable 30 serially extendsthrough each of electrical outlet boxes and may define a loop 364 fromone electrical outlet box to the other. The remaining ends of the cablemay be connected to a source of electrical power and a furtherelectrical outlet box or electrical fixture of some sort.

[0069]FIG. 22 illustrates a plurality of electrical outlet boxessupported by corresponding studs in an extended wall 370. This figurealso illustrates extension of a cable 372 from an electrical outlet box374 wherein such cable is attached to receivers 202 therein byengagement with the clamps of the respective receivers (note FIGS. 15,16 and 17). A switch box 376 may be employed to control or regulate thepower provided to all or some of the electric outlet boxes illustrated.There is also illustrated in this figure an electric ceiling fan 378receiving electric power through a cable 380 extending from electricoutlet box 382.

[0070] Conventional practice in wiring a dwelling or other facilityinvolves boring holes through the wall studs and threading an electricalcable therethrough. The threading of such cable, particularly for anextended wall length, is laborious and somewhat difficult due to kinkingand coiling of the cable. These problems can be eliminated by insteadforming a slot 390 in a wall stud 50, as illustrated FIGS. 23 and 24.Cable 30 is laid in such slot. This avoids the necessity of threading anend of a possibly very long cable through a plurality of wall studs. Thecable is retained within the slot by a retainer 392 shown in FIGS. 23,24 and 25. The retainer is formed as a hat section in cross-section. Thehat portion 394 is commensurate with the width of slot 390. The depth ofhat portion 394 is less than the depth of the slot to permit cable 30 tolie in the part of the clot not occupied by hat portion 394, as shownparticularly in FIG. 24. After cable 30 is laid in a slot, the hatportion of the retainer is inserted into the slot and the retainer ishammered in place. Such hammering will drive pointed prongs 396 into thestud in the manner of nails to retain retainer 392 in place. It may benoted that retainer 392 may be formed from a single sheet of metallicmaterial or other material. A variant 400 of retainer 392 is shown inFIG. 26. This retainer includes a rectangular cross-section element 402having a height commensurate with the height slot 390. To ensure afriction engagement with the slot, opposed sides 404, 406 may includeone of beads 408, 310 for compressive engagement with the side walls ofslot 390. A cover plate 412 may be used to bear against the stud butsuch cover plate is not mandatory. It may be noted that retainer 400 isalso retained permanently in place by the wall board covering stud 50.

[0071] While the invention has been described with reference to severalparticular embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will be able tomake the various modifications to the described embodiments of theinvention without departing from the true spirit and scope of theinvention. It is intended that all combinations of elements and stepswhich perform substantially the same function in substantially the sameway to achieve the same result are within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electrical outlet box, said electrical outletbox comprising in combination: (a) female member including threechannels, each channel of said three channels receiving an uncutconductor of a three conductor cable, and a flange extending laterallyfor mounting said electrical out box; (b) a male member including atleast a set of three receivers for engaging the conductors of the cable,each receiver of each said set of three receivers being slotted topierce any insulation about an engaged conductor of the cable and toelectrical interconnect with the engaged conductor of the cable, saidmale member including a socket assembly for receiving a conventionalthree prong electrical plug and electrically engaging the prongs of theplug with one set of said sets of three receivers; (c) attachment meansfor securing said male member with said female member; (d) said malemember including at least a set of three cavities for housing said setof three receivers to position and maintain said set of three receiversin place upon securing said male member with said female member.
 2. Anelectrical outlet box as set forth in claim 1 including a coverattachable to said male member, said cover including a plurality ofstuds for penetrably engaging corresponding apertures in said malemember to selectable degree of penetration.
 3. An electrical outlet boxas set forth in claim 2 wherein each stud of said plurality of studsincludes a plurality of bells for selectively engaging said apertures.4. An electrical outlet box as set forth in claim 1 including means formounting a pair of said electrical outlet boxes back to back, saidmounting means being disposed at the back of said female member andincluding a plurality of posts at the back of said female member anddefining an inscribed circle and a further post having a diameter notless than the diameter of the circle defined by said plurality of postswhereby said post of one of said electrical outlet boxes will mate withand be retained by said plurality of posts of another of said electricaloutlet boxes.
 5. An electrical outlet box as set forth in claim 4wherein the back of each said female member includes a pair of saidplurality of posts and a pair of said further posts.
 6. An electricaloutlet box as set forth in claim 1 including at least two of said outletboxes and means for mounting said electrical outlet boxes side to side,said mounting means including a pair of spaced apart studs disposedproximate the lower edge of one side of said female member of one ofsaid outlet boxes and a pair of indentations disposed proximate thelower edge of an opposing side of said female member of another of saidoutlet boxes, whereby said pair of studs of one electrical box of saidpair of electrical outlet boxes will mate with and engage said pair ofindentations of the other electrical outlet box of said electricaloutlet boxes.
 7. An electrical outlet box as set forth in claim 6wherein one of said electrical outlet boxes includes a furtherindentation for receiving said flange of the other electrical outlet boxof said electrical outlet boxes and retention means for retaining saidflange within said one of said electrical outlet boxes.
 8. An electricaloutlet box as set forth in claim 7 wherein said female member includes apair of ledges on opposed sides for supporting the cable into and out ofsaid female member and wherein said male member includes a further pairof ledges mating with said pair of ledges of said female member forretaining the cable therebetween.
 9. An electrical outlet box as setforth in claim 1 including a pair of ledges extending from opposed sidesof said female member for supporting the cable and a further pair ofledges extending from opposed sides of said male member for clamping thecable between said pair of ledges and said further pair of ledges. 10.An electrical outlet box as set forth in claim 1 including an open endedisolated compartment disposed in said female member and a pair ofknockouts for accommodating access to said component by two or moreconductors of the cable to be electrically connected within saidcompartment.
 11. An electrical outlet box as set forth in claim 10including a cover for covering the open end of said compartment andshield any electrical connection therein.
 12. An electrical outlet boxas set forth in claim 1 wherein each receiver of each said set of threereceivers includes a clamp for gripping and electrically engaging afurther conductor.
 13. An electrical outlet box as set forth in claim 12wherein each said clamp includes a channel for receiving the conductorand an arm for urging electrical contact between said channel of saidclamps and the further conductor.
 14. An electrical outlet box as setforth in claim 13 wherein said arm includes an end bent toward saidchannel of said clamps for engaging the further conductor.
 15. Anelectrical outlet box as set forth in claim 1 wherein each receiver ofsaid set of three receivers includes at least one key and each cavity ofsaid set of three cavities includes a slot for receiving said key of aninserted receiver of said set of three receivers.
 16. An electricaloutlet box as set forth in claim 1 wherein each slotted receiver of saidset of three receivers includes a slot defined by a pair of tabs forelectrically engaging the respective conductor of the cable.
 17. Anelectrical outlet box as set forth in claim 16 including a plate havinga plurality of apertures, each of said apertures being dimensioned topenetrably receive one pair of said tabs of each receive of said set ofthree receivers and retention means for retaining said plate adjacentsaid set of three cavities.
 18. An electrical outlet box as set for thein claim 16 wherein each receiver of said set of three receiversincludes two spaced apart pairs of said pair of tabs to define a pair ofspaced apart slots for engaging the respective conductor of the cable.19. An electrical outlet box as set forth in claim 18 wherein eachreceiver of said set of three receivers includes a pair of resilientarms for gripping therebetween the prong of a plug plugged into saidsocket assembly.
 20. An electrical outlet box as set forth in claim 19wherein each receiver of said set of three receivers includes a thirdresilient arm orthogonal to said pair of arms.
 21. An electrical outletbox as set forth in claim 20 wherein each cavity of said set of threecavities includes a pair of opposed slots and wherein each third arm ofeach receiver of said set of three receivers includes a pair of keysextending in opposed directions for engaging said opposed slots of therespective cavity of said set of three cavities.
 22. An electricaloutlet box as set forth in claim 18 including a plate having three pairsof apertures, each said pair of apertures being dimensioned to receivesaid spaced apart pair of said pair of tabs to stabilize said set ofthree receivers upon engagement with the respective ones of theconductors of the cable.
 23. An electrical outlet box as set forth inclaim 22 wherein said male member, said female member, said socketassembly and said plate are of dielectric material.
 24. An electricaloutlet box as set forth in claim 1 wherein said male member, said femalemember and said attachment means are of dielectric material.
 25. Anelectrical outlet box as set forth in claim 1 wherein said female memberincludes at least a pair of wall sections and said attachment meanscomprises at least one slot formed in an edge of each of said wallsections and an aperture disposed adjacent each of said at least oneslot and wherein said male member includes at least a pair of malestuds, each of said male studs engaging at least one of said slots, eachsaid male stud including a lip for a snap fit with the corresponding oneof said apertures.
 26. An electrical outlet box as set forth in claim 25wherein said at least one slot comprises a first pair of slots disposedin one of said wall sections spaced apart for a first distance and asecond pair of slots disposed in another of said wall sections spacedapart for a second distance and wherein said at least pair of male studscomprises a first pair of male studs spaced apart the first distance forengaging said first pair of slots and a second pair of male studs placedapart the second distance for engaging said second pair of slots.
 27. Anelectrical outlet box as set forth in claim 26 wherein the first andsecond distances are not equal, whereby said male member can be attachedto said female member only in a predetermined orientation therebetween.28. An electrical outlet box as set forth in claim 1 wherein eachchannel of said set of three channels is defined by pairs of ridges,each ridge of aid pairs of ridges being at least partly discontinuous toaccommodate insertion of a part of a respective receiver of aid set ofthree receivers intermediate the discontinuous segments of respectiveridges of said pairs of ridges.
 29. An electrical outlet box as setforth in claim 1 wherein each channel of said set of three channels isdefined by adjacent pairs of ridges, each ridge of each of said pairs ofridges being at least partly discontinuous to accommodate insertion of apart of a respective receiver of said set of three receivers coincidentwith the discontinuities of the respective ridge of said pairs ofridges.
 30. A method for mounting an electrical outlet box, said methodcomprising the steps of: (a) attaching a female member of the electricaloutlet box to a wall stud, which female member includes three channels;(b) laying an uncut cable through the female member, including the stepsof laying each conductor of the cable into a separate one of the threechannels; (c) mating a male member of the electrical outlet box with thefemale member, which male member includes at least a set of threereceivers, said step of mating including the steps of electricallyengaging each conductor of the cable with a corresponding receiver ofthe set of three receivers defining a socket of the electrical outletbox; and (d) securing said male member with said female member.
 31. Themethod as set forth in claim 30 wherein the electrical outlet boxincludes socket assembly comprising a pair of sockets, each of thesockets including the set of three receivers and wherein said step ofmating includes the step of engaging each conductor of the cable with acorresponding receiver of each of the sets of receivers.
 32. The methodas set forth in claim 30 wherein said step of mating comprises the stepof piercing any insulation about the conductor of the cable with eachreceiver of each of three sets of receivers to make electrical contactwith the conductor of the cable.
 33. The method as set forth in claim 30wherein the male and female members are of electrically non-conductingmaterial and including the step of limiting flow of electrical powerdirectly and solely from the conductors of the cable to the receivers.34. The method set forth in claim 30 wherein said step of securingincludes the steps of securing the male member to the female member witha snap fit.
 35. The method set forth in claim 30 wherein said step ofsecuring includes the step of inserting screws through the male memberinto threaded engagement with the female member.
 36. The method setforth in claim 34 wherein said step of securing includes the step ofinserting screws through the male member into threaded engagement withthe female member.
 37. The method set forth in claim 30 including thestep of affixing a cover to the male member.
 38. The method set forth inclaim 37 wherein said step of affixing includes the step of insertingstuds extending from the cover into corresponding apertures in the malemember.
 39. The method set forth in claim 38 wherein the studs include aplurality of bells and wherein said step of inserting includes the stepof inserting a selected member of bells of each of said studs into thecorresponding aperture.
 40. The method set forth in claim 30 whereinsaid step of mating includes the step of mounting two electrical outletboxes back to back, said step of mounting including the step of engagingat least one tube at the back of one female member of one of theelectrical outlet boxes intermediate at least a set of tubes at the backof an adjacent female member of the other of the electrical outletboxes.
 41. The method set forth in claim 40 including a pair of tubesdisposed at the back of the one female member of the one electricaloutlet box and a pair of sets of tubes at the back of the adjacentfemale member of the other of the electrical outlet boxes and whereinsaid step of mounting comprises the step of engaging each tube of thepair of tubes of the one female member with one set of tubes of the pairof sets of tubes of the other female member.
 42. The method set forth inclaim 40 wherein the back of each female member of each of theelectrical outlet boxes includes a pair of tubes and a pair of sets oftubes and wherein said step of mating comprises the step of engaging thepair of tubes and pair of sets of tubes of one female member of the oneelectrical outlet box with the pair of sets of tubes and pair of tubes,respectively, of the other female member of the other electrical outletbox.
 43. An electrical out box, said electrical out box comprising incombination: (a) a female member, said female member including at leastone set of three channels for supporting the conductors of an uncutthree conductor cable extending through said female member; (b) a malemember for penetrably engaging said female member in a fixed orientationrelative to said female member, said male member including a three holesocket for receiving the prongs of a three prong electrical plug, saidmale member including three cavities positionally corresponding withsaid three holes of said socket and with of said at least one set ofthree channels; (c) a receiver inserted into and supported by each ofsaid cavities, each of said receivers including a pair of opposedresilient arms for gripping a respective prong of said plug plugged intosaid socket, a pair of tabs defining a slot therebetween for engagingand making electrical contact with a conductor of the cable disposed inone channel of said set of three channels and corresponding with thecavity supporting said receiver upon mating said male member with saidfemale member; and (d) attachment means for securing said male membermated with said female member.
 44. An electrical outlet box as set forthin claim 43 including at least two electrical outlet boxes and interlockmeans disposed in the bottom of said female member for interlocking thebottom of said female member of one of said electrical outlet boxes withthe bottom of said female member of another of said electrical outletboxes.
 45. An electrical outlet box as set forth in claim 43 includingat least two electrical outlet boxes and interlock means disposed onopposed sides of said female member for interlocking one side of onefemale member of one of said electrical outlet boxes with another sideof another female member of another of said electrical outlet boxes. 46.An electrical outlet box as set forth in claim 43 including a flangeextending from said female member for attachment to a wall stud to mountsaid electrical outlet box.
 47. An electrical outlet box as set forth inclaim 43 including a ledge extending from each of opposed sides of saidelectrical outlet box for supporting the cable at the ingress and egressof the cable.
 48. An electrical outlet box as set forth in claim 43wherein each receiver of said set of three receivers includes a clampfor gripping and electrically connecting an end of a further conductor.49. An electrical outlet box as set forth in claim 43 wherein each ofsaid receivers includes two pairs of tabs defining two slots forengaging and making electrical contact with the respective conductor ofthe cable.
 50. An electrical outlet box as set forth in claim 43including an apertured plate for penetrably receiving said pairs of tabsand providing support for said set of three receivers.
 51. An electricaloutlet box as set forth in claim 43 wherein the cable is routed throughslots formed in a stud of a wall and including a retainer for retainingthe cable in a slot, each said retainer comprising a hat retainer forinsertion into the slot and an element for contacting the stud tomaintain said retainer in the stud.
 52. An electrical outlet box as setforth in claim 51 wherein said element comprises a prong for penetratingthe stud.
 53. An electrical outlet box as set forth in claim 51 whereinsaid element comprises a bend compressible against the respective slot.